Dear friends and neighbors,

Creating more affordable housing in Spokane and across the state is one of my top priorities this legislative session. Last week, two bills I am sponsoring received public hearings in the Senate Housing Committee.

Senate Bill 5884, the ‘Pavement to People’ bill, would unlock a tax incentive for developers, encouraging the redevelopment of vacant and underutilized urban property – places like surface parking lots and abandoned buildings – into housing.

The second housing bill I’ve introduced would increase service-based, community-oriented housing. Senate Bill 5885 would require cities and counties to allow increased density for affordable housing developments on land owned or controlled by religious organizations.

Click here or on the image below to learn more about the legislation.

Throughout the year I meet with various state agencies to design legislation that will improve lives. This session I am partnering with the State Attorney General’s Office to strengthen the state’s Lemon Law Program, which helps consumers who purchase or lease a “lemon”— a new vehicle that has substantial defects, such as a faulty brake system. The program educates consumers about their rights and helps them receive compensation. In 2025, the program returned more than $17 million to consumers. The program relies on a small fee on the sale of a new car. That was set at $3 in 1995 and has not been updated in 30 years. I am sponsoring SB 5832 to increase the fee to $6 to ensure this vital program continues to protect consumers from being stuck with faulty vehicles.

I am also partnering with the Office of the Insurance Commissioner on legislation that would create a grant program to assist and promote wildfire risk mitigation. Especially in eastern Washington, we have seen too often how wildfires can devastate communities. SB 6079 would give people financial help to retrofit their homes to reduce the likelihood of it igniting. Investing in these proven upgrades helps protect homes, communities, and access to essential insurance coverage.

Thanks for taking the time to read my newsletter. Follow me on Facebook and Instagram for more updates and please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at Marcus.Riccelli@leg.wa.gov.

It’s an honor to serve you!

 

Sen. Marcus Riccelli